UCFB student Sarah helping to inspire next generation of females working in sport

Among the many brilliant speakers at the recent Kick It Out Women’s Raise Your Game conference at UCFB Wembley was student Sarah Makki.

Sarah, who studies BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism at UCFB Etihad Campus, was part of a panel featuring inspirational female members of UCFB staff and alumni, which also included graduate Amy O’Connor, who now works for Watford FC in the business development team.

Hosted by the higher education institution, and in partnership with the Premier League, the conference featured talks and workshops designed to give advice and guidance to females wanting to work in the football industry.

The event also featured talks from the likes of Kick It Out chief executive Rosin Wood, QPR academy coach Manish Tailor and Rupinder Bains, who sits on the board of The Football Association.

Sarah, who works at BBC Sport alongside her studies at UCFB, said: “The event was extremely beneficial as it gave me the chance to network with important people in the football industry such as agents, lawyers and journalists, but it also enabled me to inspire others at the event by being on the panel and that was truly a great feeling.”

She added: “The fact that I was on a panel to start off with was incredible, but to be on a panel with other like-minded females who are already making their mark in sport inspired me even more to dream big because anything is possible. Being on a panel where I was telling others about my experiences and how I’m starting my career was scary at first, but it was worth it knowing I’m able to inspire other females to go out there and to succeed in the industry that they’re passionate about.”

The Raise Your Game conference also announced the launch of ‘The Next 25’ scholarship programme, a joint UCFB and Kick It Out initiative. The fund, named in recognition of Kick It Out’s 25th anniversary, will give 25 recipients full tuition fee scholarships – worth up to £54,000 – on an undergraduate or postgraduate university degree at UCFB Etihad Campus, with the Etihad Stadium in Manchester at its heart. Click here to find out more.